When in 1954 German pianist Jutta Hipp (1925-2003) made these recordings, she was already considered Europes first Lady of Jazz. Jutta not only was building a solid reputation among the European audiences, but also amazed American visitors with her playing. She was a musician of rare sensitivity, strength of imagination, and fresh individuality, who had been influenced by Lennie Tristano. But however touched she was by Lennie and other major pianists, she was making her own way.

Leonard Feather, who introduced her to the American jazz fans, said: That a new jazz star should be a German is almost without precedent. That this brilliant young discovery should also be a girl is rare too, and a pretty girl even rarer.